Clutching and driving mechanism



March 28, 1939. E. ERICKSSON I CLUTCHING AND DRIVING MECHANISM OriginalFiled Sept. 22, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l March 1939. E. ERICKSSON 2,151,961

CLUTCHING AND DRIVING MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 22, 1932 3Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuwwtom March 28, 1939. E. ERICKSSON CLUTCHING ANDDRIVING MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 22, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES;

CLUTGHING AND DRIVING i Emil Ericksson, Chicago, 11]., assignor toStandard Process Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of DelawareOriginal application September 22, 1932, Serial 634,406. Divided andthis application September 5, 1936, Serial No. 99,670

ZiClaims. (Cl. 101-171) The present invention relates to novel clutching and driving mechanism and more specifically to such mechanism asemployed in the starting and driving of printing presses.

While the clutching and driving mechanisms disclosed in the presentapplication are of particular advantage when used with a printing pressit is to be understood that they are capable of wider application as fortreating strip or web 10 material as by coating and the like. For thepurposes of illustration, the present invention will be described inconnection with a multiple impression printing press of the type shownand described in my co-pending application Serial No'. 15 634,406, filedSeptember 22 1932, which has since matured into United States'Patent No.2,103,812 issued December 28, 1937, wherein the present invention isdescribed, the instant application being a division of said co-pendingapplication. 20 A primary object of the present invention resides in theprovision of novel clutching and driving mechanisms designed to advancea web or strip of material around an idling cylinder and between aplurality of positively driven cylinders. 25 A further object of thepresent invention is to provide novel web or strip advancing meanshaving a normally idling cylinder and at least one positively drivencylinder between which the web or strip is drawn with a variable speedfriction 30 clutch arranged to initiate drive of the normally idlingcylinder and bring it and the web or strip up to operating speedindependently of the positively driven cylinder.

Another object of the present invention resides 35 in the provision ofnovel web or strip advancing means having a centrally disposed freelyrotatable cylinder and a plurality of driven cylinders spaced about thecentral cylinder to advance a web or strip under proper tension withmeans for initially starting the advancing means without imposinginjurious strains on the web or strip.

A further object of the present invention resides in providing amulti-color printing press 45 having a normally idling impressioncylinder and a plurality of positively driven printing cylinderspositioned thereabout with a main driving gear designed to rotate theimpression cylinder under certain phases of operation and to mesh withsec- 50 ondary driving gears designed to drive the printing cylinders.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel printingpress having a normally idling impression cylinder with a planetary gear55 system designed to provide a variable speed drive connection for saidimpression cylinder to initially start the press.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel driving mechanismfor use on a printing press having an impression cylinder normally freeto rotate, and a plurality of driven printing surfaces circular in crosssection spaced about the impression cylinder to advance and print upon aWeb maintained under proper tension.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a printing presshaving a freely rotatable impression cylinder and positively drivenprinting cylinders from which rotation is imparted to said impressioncylinder to propel a web therebetween with means to initially start andaccelerate said impression cylinder to prevent tearing or distortion ofthe web.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription taken in connection with the attached drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a printing press embodying a preferredform of the novel driving mechanism of -the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section in side elevation of the mechanism forinitially starting the impression cylinder and accelerating it to thedesired operating speeds.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section of the main driving means.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section showing the mechanism for driving andobtaining registry of the printing cylinders.

Figure 4a is a fragmentary view partly in section illustrating themechanism for selectively driving one of the printing cylinders.

Figures 5 and 6 are top plan elevational views of the sliding key usedin the mechanism of Figure 4.

Figures '7 and 8 are side and end elevational views of the helicallyslotted sleeve provided for 40 cooperation with the key of Figures 5 and6.

With continued reference to the drawings wherein like reference numeralsare used to designate the same parts throughout the several figures, amultiple impression printing press ll, including a pair of spacedsupporting frames I2 and an outside auxiliary frame |3.positioned on abase or sole plate It, is provided with a-preferred embodiment of thenovel clutching and driving mechanism of the present invention. Frames I2 are preferably provided with four apertures l5 positioned so that whenframes l2 are mounted on sole plate M, the apertures are opposite oneanother. The upper right quadrant of each frame l2 (referring to Figurel) is preferably formed separately from the remainder of the frame andpivoted at l6 to permit of raising of the frame section to secure accessto the impression roller within.

A normally idling impression cylinder l1 having a suitable impressionsurface I8 is rotatably supported on supporting frames I2 in thefollowing manner: Impression cylinder I1 is preferably secured to hub 2|(Figure 2) which rotates on shaft 22, by spokes 23, thus providing alight, but rigid and strong structure. Shaft 22 is provided withenlarged sections 24 over which hub 2| is forced into positionagainst ashoulder 25 formed on one of srctions 24. Shaft 22 is journalled incombined radial and thrust bearings 26 supported in frame members 2.Thrust bearings 26 may, if desired, be of the type comprising cup rings21 and cones 28 although it is to be understood that any suitable formof anti-friction hearing may be employed.

Bearing housing 29 is retained between the left hand frame member l2(Figure 2) and cap or cover member 3|, secured to frame member |2 bysuitable connection means, for example, bolts 32 (Figure 1). Bearing 26is held in proper relation to the end of shaft 22 by cap 33 secured toshaft 22 by bolts 34. A ring member 35 is spaced from cap 33 and securedby bolts 35 to bearing housing 28 to hold the bearing assembly together.This arrangement permits the withdrawal of shaft 22 by removing cap 33,there being no necessity for disturbing the bearing assembly.

Packing 36 is provided to prevent the escape or leakage of the lubricantsupplied to bearing 26. A cover 31 retained in position by suitablemeans, as for example, bolts 38 engaging frame member l2 and cap 3|provides a lubricant chamber 39 and maintains the entire bearingassembly in position in the frame I 2.

Right hand frame member I2 is provided with a combined radial and thrustanti-friction hearing 40 to receive the opposite end of shaft 22.

Bearing 48 is mounted on frame member |2- under cover or cap member 4|which is secured to frame l2 by suitable means. A ring 42 secured tobearing housing 48 by suitable bolts 43, holds a packing 44 againstshaft 22 to prevent leakage and escape of lubricant from bearing 40. Aring 45 surrounds bearing housing 48 and ring 42 and is secured to framemember 2 and cap member 4| by suitable bolts 46.

Caps 3| and 4| are secured to frames |2 at an angle, preferably 45, asseen in Figure 1, so that cylinder I! may be removed or reground throughthe opening provided by the hinged quadrants of frames l2.

Frames l3 supports the ends of stub-shafts 41 journalled in webs 48 offrames |-2 (Figures 1 and 4). Shafts 4| carry frames 49 and swingingbrackets 58 which in turn support printing cylinders 5|, 52, 53 and 54and their drive mechanisms spaced about the periphery of cylinderStub-shafts 41 are journalled in webs or projections 55 of auxiliaryframe I3, the projection 55 opposite printing cylinder 54 beingpreferably formed on a detachable portion of auxiliary frame I 3 inorder that cylinder 5| and its associated mechanism may be swung bodilyaround hinge l6.

The press thus far briefly described is shown and described in copendingapplication Serial No. 634,406. Since the general press constructiondoes not form any part of the present invention, a more detaileddescription thereof will not be given in this application. A novelfriction clutch of the present invention as applied to the press ofSerial No. 634,406 briefly described above will now be described.

Printing or treating cylinders 5|, 52, 53 and 54 in combination withimpression surface I8 ad- Vance the material, preferably in the form ofa web, which is to receive an impression or impressions therefrom or tobe otherwise treated, and are driven by novel means to be hereinafterdescribed in detail. For the sake of simplicity, cylinders 5|, 52, 53and 54 will be hereinafter called printing cylinders although it will beobvious from the foregoing that the invention embraces other treatingoperations than printing.

A gear 56 is keyed by suitable means, as key 51 or otherwise associatedin driving relationship with a hollow shaft 58 (Figure 2) which isaligned with shaft '22 and supported at its end adjacent shaft 22 in abearing 59 in main frame member I2, and at the other end by a supportingmechanism generally indicated at 6| including brake drum 62 for apurpose to be described.

Gear "is driven from a pinion 63 which is keyed or otherwise secured ona main drive shaft 64 which is in turn driven by a pulley wheel 65. Ahand wheel 66 is keyed or otherwise secured to main drive shaft 64 sothat the mechanism of press may be manually moved for the purpose ofthreading the material to be printed or to move the printing cylindersor material for any purpose for example when making any of the necessaryadjustments, described in detail in copending application Serial No.634,406.

Shaft 22 is driven in the following manner from gear 56. A constantlyengaged dog clutch member or ring 61 is secured to the end of shaft 22,between the end of shaft 22 and bearing member 59 by suitable means 68.A cover member 69 secured to frame member l2 and cap 4| by suitablemeans II is provided for protecting bearing 58 and clutch 61. Covermember 68 contains suitable packing as at I2 to prevent the escape oflubricant.

Hollow shaft 58 at its end opposite bearing 59 is provided with abearing ring member 13 secured for rotation with shaft 58 by a key 14.Hollow shaft 58 is rotatably supported through bearing ring 13 and ananti-friction bearing 15 carried by a member 16. Member 16 is rotatablysupported by an anti-friction bearing 11 mounted in frame member 3 andheld therein by a bearing cap 18 secured to frame member |3 by suitablemeans 19 (Figure 1). Impression cylinder drive shaft 8| is receivedwithin shaft 58 one end thereof extending within member 16. Suitablemeans, for example, keys 82, in keyways 83 of member I6 and shaft 8|connect shaft 8| to rotatable member I6.

Shaft 8| is provided at its ends with spines 84 in engagement withsplines 85 in clutch ring 61 for the purpose of driving impressioncylinder I! when desired through mechanism 6|. The connection affordedby splines 84 and 85 provides a flexible driving connection whichpermits cylinder shaft 22 to be free of distorting stresses which mightotherwise occur when power is transmitted from main driving gear 56, andeliminates a possible source of inaccuracy in the location ofimpressions received from the printing cylinders. Shafts 22 and 8|, soconnected, comprise a sectional shaft through which impression cylinderI! may be driven but which is a normally idling shaft.

Hub 86 of bevel gear 81 is secured to member 16 for rotation therewithby suitable means, for example set screw 88. A shoulder 89 on member 16insures the proper positioning of gear 81 with respect to member 16. Asecond bevel gear BI is mounted to rotate. on shaft 58 and is secured tothe hub of gear 56 for rotation therewith by means of set screw'92.Bevel pinion 53 is in mesh with bevel gears 81 and 91 and is mounted onbevel pinion shaft 96 carried in hub 95 and an aperture in rim 96 ofbrake drum'62. Pinion shaft 96 is retained in position by suitablemeans, for example, set screw 91. Brake drum 62 is rotatably journalledon hollow shaft 58 by means of bearing bushings 98. A suitable fitting99 provides for a supply of lubricant to 7 bearing bushings 68.

When desired brake drum 62 is restrained from rotation by brake bandIIlI. Brake band IIJI is adjusted by means of bolts I62 (Figure l) andnuts I63 cooperating with ears I06. The ends of brake band IBI areconnected to pins I65 (Figure 1) in levers I56. Levers I66 are carriedon frame member I3 by bolts IIlI. Arms I08 of levers I 06 are connectedby toggle links I69 so that they may be spread apart to tighten brakeband IIII on brake drum 62.

Arm II I of toggle lever I69 may be connected to any suitable operatingdevice or may be provided with a handle for manual operation. I havedisclosed by way of example a solenoid magnet II2, core I I3 of which isoperatively connected by link IIQ to arm III. Pins IE in frame member I3serve as stops for levers I66. Impression cylinder I1 may be caused torotate by drawing plunger H3 of solenoid II2 upwardly. Toggle ears I89spread levers I08 which contract brake band III! by movement of arms I06toward each other.

Rotation of brake drum 62 is thus prevented and bevel pinion shaft 66remains stationary. Rotation is then imparted to impression cylinder I1from gear 56 through bevel gear 9!, bevel pinion 93, bevel gear 81 andshaft BI.

With brake drum 62 free to rotate, differences in rotational speedbetween gear 56 and impression cylinder I1 are permitted by rotation of,brake drum 62 at some intermediate speed. If,

for example, impression cylinder I1 is stationary, brake drum 62 willrotate at about one-half the speed of main drive gear 56 due toplanetary action of pinion 93. I

Main drive shaft 56 carrying pulley 65 and drive pinion 63 is journalledin frame members I2 and I5 on anti-friction bearings H6. Bearing I I6 inframe member I2 is supported in a cup H1 and sealed with a lubricantseal H8. A divided collar II9 which is secured together by suitablemeans I2I retains cup II1 in position in frame I2. A seal I22 isprovided for divided collar I I6. Divided collar I I9 is retained inposition on frame member I2 by suitable fastening means, for example,bolts I23. Bearing H6 in frame member I 3 is mounted in a cup I24. Acover plate I25 retains cup member I25 i'n position on frame member I3.Suitable means I26 connect cover plate I25 to frame member I3, lubricantseals I21 being provided as shown.

Gear 56 also meshes with gears I28 which are adapted to drive theprinting cylinders 5I 52, 53 and 56. Since the printing cylinder drivingmechanisms are identical, only one of the mechanisms will be described.In this connection, the drive for printing cylinder 56 has been chosenfor illustration.

Gear I28 is keyed-or otherwise securedto sleeve I29 which rotates onbearing bushings or sleeves I30 on shafts 61 between frames 59 andswinging brackets 50. Suitable lubricant fittings I36 provide for asupply of lubricant to the bearing surfaces on shaft 61.

Printing cylinder 54 is mounted upon a shaft I3! which is supported inbearings I32 and I33 carried by swingable frames 69, which are pivotallymounted on webs 68 by means of stubshafts 61. Bearing carrying frame 49on lefthand frame member I2 (Figure 4) is made up of two parts I35 andI36 placed back to back and held together by suitable fastening orclamping means. Frame 69 on right-hand frame member I2 is made up in alike manner of parts I31 and I38 held back to back by suitable clampingmeans.

Parts I35 and I36 and parts I31 and I38 of swingable frames 69 formbifurcated portions which fit over and contact with webs 68, whichtogether with shafts 51 form a pivot joint permitting frames 59 to swingfreely but without twisting or lateral movement thereof. I Inaccuraciesin the register of printing cylinders M, 52, 53 and 56 are prevented dueto the above described pivot point.

Left hand frame 39 is provided at its end opposite pivot points61 withprojections I39 and I 66 provided with apertures I II for connectionwith means, described in co-pending application Serial No. 634,406, formoving printing cylinders 5!, 52, 53 and 56 selectively or collectivelyinto and out of contact with impression surface I8 of impressioncylinder I1. Right hand frame 69 is provided with projections I52 andI63, apertured at I66 for a like purpose. Since such means form no partof the present invention, a detailed description thereof in the presentcase is believed unnecessary.

A gear I65 is keyed by means of a key M6 or other suitable means to asleeve I61 which is provided with an aperture I68 for driving engagementwith a clutch pin I619. 'Pin I ia is seated in an aperture I5I in a hubmember I52 of a hand wheel I53, which is secured to hub I52 by suitablemeans as for example bolts I56. Clutch pin I 59 extends further into aradial aperture I55 in a sleeve I56 which is connected for rotation withhub I52 by means of a suitable key (not shown) fitting in keyway I51 insleeve I55 and a suitable keyway (not shown) provided in hub I52. ShaftI3I is prdilided with a recess I58 and a slot I59. An elongatedcentrally located bore I60 is also provided in shaft I5I.

A key I6I (Figures 5 and 6) is seated within recess I58 of shaft I3Iforv longitudinal reciprocation therein. A projection I 62 of key I6Iprojects through slot or aperture I55, and is received within atransverse notch or aperture I63 formed in end I66 of a reciprocable rodor shaft I65. Key I6I is provided with a spline I66 of relatively longpitch received in a helical slot I61 (Figures 7 and 8) of like pitch inthe circumthe graduation corresponding to definite distances measuredaxially of impression surface I8 and hence transversely of the web ofmaterial. The graduations may, if desired, correspond to thousandths ofan inch as measured on the web.

Shaft I3I is associated with printing cylinder 54 and is caused to moveaxially with threaded barrel I14 by anti-friction bearing ring I11 heldagainst axial movement on reduced portion I18 of shaft I3I betweencollars I19 and IN, mounted on reduced portions I82 and I18 respectivelyof shaft I3I. Collar I19 is in abutting engagement with the edge of handwheel hub body I12 and clutch sleeve I56. Collar I 8| engages sleeve I84which is secured to the end of the shaft I3I by suitable means, forexample, set screws I85 which permit collar I84 to be axially adjustedprior to the insertion of set screws I85. Stationary thrust bearing ringI86 engages an annular projection I81 of threaded barrel I14.Corresponding stationary thrust bearing ring I88 engages a threadedcover or cap I89 the threads of which are in engagement with threads onthe interior of barrel I14.

Suitable anti-friction bearings, for example, balls I9I transmit endthrust of thrust bearing ring I11 to stationary thrust bearing rings I88and I 88. Undesired end play of thrust bearing rings I11, I86 and I88may be prevented by adjustment of threaded cover I89 which may besecuredafter adjustment by set screws I92.

From the mechanism thus far described it will be seen that as hand wheelI15 is manipulated to move threaded barrel I14 in the desired direction,shaft I3I will be moved axially by means of thrust bearing ring I11 andstationary thrust bearing ring I88 or I88 depending upon the directionof movement for the adjustment desired. Any observed transversevariations of the printed impressions on the web may be corrected bymanipulation of hand wheel I15 associated with the printing cylinder tobe adjusted. This may be done at any operating speed or before initialstarting of the press. The graduations on hand wheel I15 facilitate thesetting of the printing cylinder to the desired point when out ofregister. The printed web is measured to determine how much eachcylinder is out of register and the hand wheel for that printingcylinder is turned through the number of graduations corresponding tothe distance measured on the web.

Key I6I may be adjusted longitudinally in recess I58 on shaft I3I forthe purpose of changing the angular position of gear I45 with respect toshaft I3I so that inaccuracies in the longitudinal location of theprinted impression from the printing cylinder may be corrected andperfect register restored at any speed of the press or with the press atrest. To this end a hand wheel I93 having a barrel I94 formed thereon issecured in barrel I14.

Periphery I95 of hand wheel I93 is also provided with graduations, theinterval between the graduations corresponding to definite distancesmeasured longitudinally of the web. The graduations may, if desired,correspond to thousandths of an inch as measured on the web. Barrel I14,in order to receive barrel I 94, is provided with an interiorly threadedportion I96 which receives threads I96 provided on barrel I94. BarrelI94 is rotated by hand wheel I93 to effect longitudinal movement thereofwith respect to barrel I14. Key I6I and shaft I65 are movedlongitudinally in bore I60 by means of thrust bearing assembly I91(similar in construction to the bearing assembly described in connectionwith hand wheel I15) positioned in barrel I94.

As hand wheel I93 is rotated in either direction barrel I94' will bemoved longitudinally with respect to the barrel I14 on threadedconnection I96. Thrust bearing assembly I91 will impart the longitudinalmovements of barrel I94 to shaft I65 in a manner that will be readilyapparent from the drawings.

Thrust bearing assembly I91 includes bearing ring I98 and bearingmembers I99 and MI be tween which are interposed suitable anti-frictionbearings, for example, balls 203. Bearing members I99 and MI areretained on rod I65 by suitable means, for example, cap screws 204 andarrnular member 205.

Thrust bearing assembly I91 is positioned between shoulder 206 and coverplate 201. Cover plate 201 is retained in position by suitable fasteningmeans, for example, cap screws 208. To prevent undesired twisting orrotation of shaft I65, key 209 may be employed to connect the end ofshaft I3I to shaft I65.

Suitable means 2I I provides for a supply of lubricant to the parts.Lever 2I2 and clamping bolt 2I3 are employed to clamp barrels I14 and I94 in fixed relationship. Links 2 I4 and 2| 5 provide for differences inposition of handwheel I93 and barrel I14.

, From the description just given, it will be seen that key I6I isreciprocated in recess I58 by hand wheel I93 and shaft I65.Reciprocation of these members varies the angular relationship of gearI45 and shaft I3I thereby afiecting the longitudinal registering of theimpressions on the web of material. Undesired movements of sleeve I56 onshaft I3I are prevented by a collar 2I1 secured to shaft I3I by suitablemeans, for example, key 2 I8, beyond the point 2I9 of slight reductionin the diameter of shaft I3I. Collar 2| 1 may, if desired, abut innerbearing sleeve 22I which in turn abuts shoulder 222 at the point ofreduction in diameter of the shaft I3I thus aiding in preventinglongitudinal movement of sleeves I41 and I56 on shaft I3I.

Inner bearing sleeve 22 I located on the portions of the shaft I3Iwithin frame members 49 is of a length greater than that of bearings I32and I33 and thus permits longitudinal movement of shaft I 3I for thepurpose of obtaining accurate positioning of impressions from printingcylinders 5I, 52, 53 and 54 laterally of the web of material undercontrol of the adjusting means previously described. Bearing I33 andouter bearing sleeve 224 are retained by cover members 225 secured toframe members I31 and I38 by suitable fastening means as for examplescrews 226. Hand wheel hub body I52, connected for rotation with sleeveI56 by means of pins 221 fitting within apertures 228 in sleeve I56,prevents axial movements of hand wheel hub I52 along shaft I3I.

A set screw 229 in hand wheel hub I52 frictionally engages groove'23l ofclutch pin I49 to hold clutch pin I49 in position with its shank engagedin arcuate notch I48 of sleeve I56 whereby gear I45 may drive shaft I3I,or with notch 232 positioned to the left whereby sleeve I 41 is free torotate without imparting rotational movement to sleeve I56.

Operation Power is applied to main drive shaft 64 (Figure 3) and istransmitted by means of pinion 63 and gear 56 to the severalintermediate printing cylinder drive gears I28. It will be seen that asgears I28 and bearing frames 9 and brackets 50 have a common center,driving force will be applied from intermediate printing cylinder drivegears I28 to printing cylinder drive gears M regardless of the angularposition of swinging frames 49 and brackets 50 within the limits oftheir movement. printin cylinder shafts i3l with printing cylinders 5!,52, 53 and 55 either in or out of printing contact with the webmaterial.

If it is desired at any time to stop rotation of any one of printingcylinders Si, 62, 53 and 5:! this may be done by loosening set screw 229and rotating clutch pin M9 until notch 232 permits free movement ofsleeve :41. Sleeve It! will then rotate idly on sleeve 156 withoutimparting movement to its corresponding printing cylinder shaft. It isthus possible to print at will from any one of the several printingcylinders or any group thereof. The printing cylinders not in use mayremain idle.

As hereinbefore described, impression cylinder I! rotates freely duringnormal printing operation, being driven by the web material which inturn is advanced by the positively driven printing cylinders Si, 52, 53and 54. It is, however, desirable that impression cylinder il beinitially started and accelerated to normal operating speed by the powerdriven means and friction clutch previously described in order to avoiddistortion or possible rupture or breakage of the Web material andpossible injuries to the etched surface of the printing shells which mayresult from frictional contact during acceleration of printing cylinderl'l. In order to effect the positive acceleration of cylinder I! thepress it, with printing cylinders 51, 52, 53 and 5 3 out of contact withimpression cylinder IT, has the web of material threaded therethroughafter insertion of the web between the guide rolls and tensioning meansde scribed in co-pending application Serial No. 634,406. The webmaterial is then passed between each of the printing cylinders andimpression surface 18, by rotating the press slowly either by the mainpower drive or hand wheel 66.

Brake band liil during this time is preferably engaged so that the webis drawn around cylindcr ll, due to the positive drive imparted thereto. After the material has been passed between the several printingcylinders and cylinder I1, it is taken over guide rolls and passed undera drier or led directly to a reeling stand or disposed of in the desiredmanner. With the press in this condition, it is ready for printing.

To initiate printing on the web material, impression cylinder 1'! isstarted and accelerated to normal running speed by tightening band I6!of starting mechanism 6! which will smoothly and rapidly accelerate theimpression cylinder to normal operating speeds, at which speed theprinting cylinders may be collectively placed in operative contact withthe paper by operation of the mechanism described in co-pendingapplication Serial No. 534,406. The brake band of starting mechanism 6|after the operating speed is reached may be released as impression drumI1 is now being driven by the several printing cylinders 5|, 52, 53 and54 overlying the impression surface. l8. The press, due to the use ofthe variable friction clutch 6|, is accordingly brought up to operatingspeed withoutany strain on the web of material.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or Rotation is thus imparted to essentialcharacteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, thescope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended tobe embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A printing press comprising an impression cylinder, a printingcylinder, means to drive said printing cylinder, said driven printingcylinder normally driving said impression cylinder; and means toaccelerate and initially drive said impression cylinder from saidprinting cylinder drive means.

2. A printing press comprising an impression cylinder; a printingcylinder, said impression cylinder and said printing cylinder beingadapted to receive and propel a strip therebetween, means to drive saidprinting cylinder positively, said impression cylinder normally rotatingidly in contact with the strip between said cylinders; and means todrive said impression cylinder positively, said last mentioned meanscomprising a variable speed clutch means.

3.A printing press comprising a normally idle impression cylinder; aplurality of positively driven printing cylinders, said impressioncylinder and said printing cylinders being adapted to receive and propela strip therebetween; and means to drive said impression cylinderpositively,, said last mentioned means comprising variable speed clutchmeans.

4. In a printing press comprising in combination an idle impressioncylinder and a plurality of driven printing cylinders, the contact orpressure between the impression cylinder and the printing cylinderspropelling a webto be printed between them; means to initially start andaccelerate said impression cylinder so that the impression can be thrownin while the printing cylinders are running without danger of tearing ordistortion of the web, said means comprising a friction clutch and asolenoid.

5. In a printing press having an impression cylinder and a plurality of.printing cylinders adapted to engage and propel a strip of material tobe printed, the combination of a main drive shaft, a driving pinionsecured to said shaft, a hollow driven shaft,'a driven gear secured tosaid hollow shaft adapted to mesh with said driving pinion, a shaftadapted to support and drive said impression cylinder, an extension onsaid impression cylinder supporting shaft, said extension extendingthrough said hollow shaft and connected in driving relation thereto bymeansof a variable speed clutch, a driven shaft for each of saidprinting cylinders, a gear on each of said driven shafts meshing withsaid hollow shaft driven gear, and means to disengage said variablespeed clutch and permit said impression cylinder to idle during normaloperation of said press.

6. In a printing press having a normally idling impression cylinder,means for initiating operation of said cylinder comprising a drivenshaft, a bevel gear secured to said driven shaft, a shaft supportingsaid impression cylinder, a second bevel gear secured to said supportingshaft, a housing surrounding said bevel gears, a bevel pinion mounted insaid housing and designed for constant engagement with said bevel gears,and a friction band encircling said housing adapted to lock said housingagainst rotation and to transmit torque through said second bevel geartosaid supporting shaft."

7. A clutch for use in initiating operation of a printing press having anormally idling impression cylinder comprising driving and drivenshafts, a gear secured to said driving shaft, 9. second gear secured tosaid driven shaft, 9. housing surrounding said gears and rotatablysupported by one of said shafts, a planetary pinion rotatably supportedby said housing and in constant engagement with said gears, and meansfor locking said housing against rotation to establish a drivingconnection between said gears and their associated shafts.

, 8. The combination defined in claim 7 wherein said last-mentionedmeans comprises a friction band encircling said housing, a pair of crankarms, the adjacent ends of which are connected to the ends of saidfriction band, a toggle connection connecting the opposite adjacent endsof said crank arms and means for operating said toggle connection toengage said friction band and said housing.

9. A driving mechanism for advancing a strip or web of material through.a treating machine comprising a normally idling cylinder for supportingsaid web, a plurality of positively driven treating cylinders operableto grip said web between them and said first mentioned cylinder andadvance said web through said machine, means for driving said pluralityof cylinders and manually operable clutching elements for selectivelyconnecting one or more of said plurality of cylinders to said drivingmeans.

10. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein driving means is providedfor said normally idling cylinder, said means including a variable speedclutch for positively driving said normally idling cylinder to initiallyaccelerate said web to operating speed whereby injury of said web andsaid treating cylinders is obviated.

11. A driving mechanism for a web treating machine having a normallyidling web supporting cylinder and a plurality of positively driventreating cylinders carried in pivoted swingable frames and operable toadvance said web over said idling cylinder comprising a main driveshaft, a driving pinion on said drive shaft, an intermediate driveshaft, a driven gear mounted on said intermediate drive shaft forengagement with said pinion, a drive gear for each of said driventreating cylinders rotatably mounted on the pivot of each of saidswingable frames and operatively engaging said driven gear, and a drivengear mounted in each of said swingable frames operable to engage saidtreating cylinder drive gear and transmit the driving force to saiddriven treating cylinders.

12. In a web printing press having a normally idling impression cylinderand a plurality of positively driven printing cylinders for normallydriving said web, the combination of a main drive shaft, an intermediatedrive shaft, a normally idling shaft carrying said impression cylinder,a driven shaft for each of said printing cylinders operable to drivesaid cylinders, means interconnecting said main drive shaft and saidintermediate drive shaft and operable to establish a driving connectiontherebetween, means interconnecting said intermediate drive shaft andeach of said driven shafts, said last mentioned means including a partof said first mentioned means, a variable speed clutch interconnectingsaid normally idling shaft and said intermediate drive shaft, and meansfor operating said clutch for positively driving said normally idlingshaft to accelerate said web to normal operating speed.

13. A variable speed clutch for use in a multiple impression printingpress comprising a normally idling shaft, a driven shaft, a gear securedto said normally idling shaft, a gear secured to said driven shaft, adrum surrounding said gears and rotatably supported on said drivenshaft, a pinion carried by said drum and engaging said gears, and meansfor frictionally engaging said drum to vary its resistance to rotationwhereby said normally idling shaft may be selectively driven at variablespeeds rom said driven shaft.

14. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein said driven shaft ishollow and said idling shaft extends through and beyond said drivenshaft and wherein said first-mentioned gear is secured to the protrudingportion of said idling shaft.

15. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein one end of said drivenshaft is supported by an anti-friction bearing carried in the hub ofsaid first-mentioned gear.

16. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein said last-mentionedmeans includes a frictional band surrounding and engaging said drum.

17. Means for operating a variable speed clutch used to initiateoperation of the normally idling impression cylinder of a multipleimpression web printing press having positively driven printingcylinders for driving the web and impression cylinder comprising a brakeband, crank arms connected to the ends of said brake band and pivotallysupported on a stationary portion of said press, a toggl linkageinterconnecting the opposite ends of said crank arms and means foroperating said toggle linkage.

18. The combination defined in claim 17 wherein said means comprises asolenoid magnet secured to said stationary portion of said press, a coreoperatively associated with said magnet and a link connecting said coreto one link of the toggle linkage.

19. A drive mechanism for a multiple impression printing press having anormally idling impression cylinder and positively driven printingcylinders comprising a main drive shaft, a drive pinion on said maindrive shaft, 2. master drive gear engaging said drive pinion, aplurality of driving gears angularly spaced around said master gear andmeshing therewith, means for driving said printing cylinders from saidlastmentioned driving gears, a normally idling shaft carrying saidimpression cylinder and rotatably supporting said master gear andvariable speed clutching means interconnecting said. master gear andsaid normally idling shaft whereby said idling shaft may be acceleratedto operating speed independently of said driven printing cylinders.

20. In a printing press, a rotatable shaft, a printing cylinder mountedon said shaft, clutch means arranged upon said shaft, a second clutchmeans adapted to be rotated with respect to said first clutch means,means for driving said second clutch means, means preventing relativemove ment of said clutch means axially of said shaft and selective meansfor operatively interconnecting said clutch means whereby said printingcylinder may be driven or may remain idle at will.

21. In a printing press, a rotatable shaft, a

printing cylinder mounted upon said shaft, a sleeve arranged torotatewith said shaft, a second sleeve arranged to freely rotate upon saidfirst sleeve, means for continuously driving said second sleeve, andselective means for operatively interconnecting said sleeves wherebysaid printing cylinder may be driven or may remain idleat will.

22.'In a printing press, a printing cylinder shaft, drive means for saidshaft, clutch means carried by said shaft and manually operable toclutch said shaft to said drive means, said clutch means comprising apair of separate concentric sleeves and a selectively adjustable pinengaging in openings in said separate sleeves, one of said sleeves beingconnected to the drive means and the other to the shaft.

23. In the combination above defined in claim clutch members associatedwith the drive to 10 each printing cylinder.

' EMIL ERICKSSON.

